Virginia is for Lovers

  • Welcome

    Welcome

    • About Virginia
    • Welcome Centers
    • VISITOR INFORMATION CENTERS
    • Accessible Travel
    • International Visitors
    • Weather
    • Transportation
    • Related Links
    • Weddings In Virginia
    • LGBT Travel
    • Virginia Green Travel
    • VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS SHOP

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Things To Do

    Things To Do

    • Family Fun
    • Historic Sites
    • Eat & Drink
    • Outdoors
    • THEME PARKS & WATERPARKS
    • Zoos & Aquariums
    • Music
    • BEACHES
    • State Parks
    • National Parks
    • CAVERNS
    • Golf
    • SPAS
    • SHOPPING
    • MUSEUMS
    • Arts & Culture
    • LOVEworks
    • Filmed in Virginia

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Events

    Events

    • ARTS & CRAFTS
    • CIVIL WAR
    • CULINARY
    • FAMILY FUN
    • FESTIVALS
    • HISTORY & HERITAGE
    • MUSIC FESTIVALS
    • PERFORMANCES
    • SPORTING
    • WINE FESTIVALS

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Places To Stay

    Places To Stay

    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • COTTAGES & CABINS
    • INNS
    • RESORTS
    • PET FRIENDLY
    • CAMPING
    • HOTELS & MOTELS
    • LODGES & GUEST RANCHES
    • Vacation Homes & Rentals
    • VIRGINIA GREEN

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Deals

    Deals

    • DEALS & DISCOUNTS
    • FALL PACKAGES
    • FAMILY FUN PACKAGES
    • FOOD AND WINE PACKAGES
    • HISTORY DEALS
    • SPRING PACKAGES
    • MILITARY DISCOUNTS
    • ROMANCE PACKAGES
    • TRAVEL PACKAGES

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Store
  • Maps

    Maps

    • Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia - Blue Ridge Highlands
    • Central Virginia
    • Chesapeake Bay
    • Coastal Virginia - Eastern Shore
    • Coastal Virginia - Hampton Roads
    • Southwest Virginia - Heart of Appalachia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Virginia Mountains

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Accessible Travel

Suggested Itinerary Creative Cats...Smithfield, Virginia is where the HeART is!

Painted pig "Magnolia," one of eight market hog statues depicting the culture and history of the area...our "Porcine Parade"
  • Address
    319 Main Street
    Smithfield, VA 23431
  • Phone
    757-357-5182 (Visitor Center)
  • City
    Smithfield
    Locality
    Isle Of Wight
    pin for print map of virginia
  • Social
  • Email Us
  • Visit Site

Smithfield, incorporated in 1752, maintains its quaint river town feel and is known worldwide for its delicious country hams. The town delivers on its promise of "hams, history, hospitality & HeART,"

Day 1: Begin at the Visitor Center, also home to the Arts Center @319, offering tourist information, a gallery/gift shop & the chance to chat with resident artists. Peruse the many art galleries along Main Street and stop by the post office which features a mural installed as one of FDR's Work Projects Administration's projects. Lunch at the Gourmet Bakery. Take in the many shops downtown - all independently owned. Seven life-size bronze statues are placed throughout town, depicting such figures as Benjamin Franklin and Robert Frost. Enjoy the painted pigs of the town's Porcine Parade. Finish with dinner at Smithfield Station, then attend one of the many local concerts and other special events.

Day 2: Breakfast downtown at the Cure Coffeehouse, then visit the Isle of Wight County Museum with its overview of the county's history, the world's oldest ham and beautiful stained glass dome. Take a Walking Tour of the Historic District featuring over 50 historic buildings, including the 1750 Isle of Wight Courthouse, modeled after the Capitol Building in Colonial Williamsburg, and the Schoolhouse Museum, an African-American Museum of Public Education, built in 1932. Stop for lunch at the Ice Cream Parlor, then head to Historic St. Luke's Church and Musem, "Virginia's Oldest Church," to view their stained glass windows and bronze statues. Isle of Wight County is home to two historic forts in lovely natural settings overlooking the James River. Historic Fort Huger, the "Gateway to the Confederate Capital," offers a self-guided walking tour to view mounted cannon and the "Ghost Fleet." Fort Boykin Historic Park was constructed in the 1600s to protect the colonists. Finish your visit to Smithfield & Isle of Wight County with a scenic riverside dinner at Captain Chuck-a-Muck's in the quaint village of Rescue.

Be sure to finish your time in Smithfield with a group photo at the town's "Love Work" at the Smithfield Center!

Additional Links

  • Additional Website

Region

Coastal Virginia - Hampton Roads

Last Updated: 07/20/2018

Related Listings

  • Mansion House Art and Antiques Gallery
    Mansion House Art and Antiques Gallery
    120 N. Church Street
    Smithfield, VA 23430
  • The Arts Center @ 319
    The Arts Center @ 319
    319 Main Street
    Smithfield, VA 23430

What's Nearby

  • Historic Smithfield, Virginia
    Historic Smithfield, Virginia
    319 Main Street
    Smithfield, VA 23431
    0 MI
  • Smithfield Farmers Market
    Smithfield Farmers Market
    115 Main Street
    Smithfield, VA 23430
    0 MI
  • Genuine Smithfield's Historic Walking Tour
    Genuine Smithfield's Historic Walking Tour
    319 Main Street
    Smithfield, VA 23430
    0 MI
  • Smithfield's Porcine Parade
    Smithfield's Porcine Parade
    319 Main Street
    Smithfield, VA 23430
    0 MI
  • The Arts Center @ 319
    The Arts Center @ 319
    319 Main Street
    Smithfield, VA 23430
    0 MI

    Area Events

    You Might Like

    • Suggested Itinerary
      Charlottesville: History Addict Meets Le Connoisseur in Jefferson's Virginia
      610 E. Main St.
      Charlottesville, VA
    • Suggested Itinerary
      Smithfield & Isle of Wight County Celebrate Their Rich Agricultural Tradition
      319 Main Street
      Smithfield, VA
    • Suggested Itinerary
      Front Row Fanatics can enjoy great music on the Pagan River in Smithfield, Virginia
      319 Main Street
      Smithfield, VA
    • Suggested Itinerary
      Create, Participate, and Appreciate...The Arts in Fairfax County
      3702 Pender Drive
      Fairfax, VA
    • Suggested Itinerary
      Halifax County Heart Racing Itinerary
      1180 Bill Tuck Highway
      South Boston, VA
    • Suggested Itinerary
      Norfolk's Harborfest Itinerary
      232 East Main St.
      Norfolk, VA
    • Suggested Itinerary
      All that Jazz
      232 East Main St.
      Norfolk, VA
    • Suggested Itinerary
      Virginia International Tattoo & Springtime in Coastal Virginia
      P.O. Box 11043
      Norfolk, VA
    • Suggested Itinerary
      Norfolk, Virginia's Passport to Fun!
      232 E Main Street
      Norfolk, VA
    • Suggested Itinerary
      Antique Pickers Trip to Gloucester Virginia
      9162 John Clayton Mem Hwy
      Gloucester, VA
    See More
    SV16021603V_008.JPG

    Winter in Virginia

    • Mountain Resorts

      Cabin Rentals

      Skiing

      Ice Skating

      Whale Watching

      Winter Hikes

      Luxury Retreats
    Virginia is for Lovers Trucker Hat

    Shop with us for merchandise and gifts

    Shop Virginia

    We Need Your Feedback

    Take our Survey

    Travel Updates

    Success! Get ready to start receiving Virginia.org travel updates.

    Find out why Virginia is for Lovers. You’ll get monthly travel inspiration, insider tips, and itineraries to help you plan your best Virginia vacation yet. Plus exclusive offers, deals, packages and more! Sign up for Virginia is for Lovers Emails now!

    There’s always more to LOVE in Virginia. Please select any topic that interests you!

    About Va
    • Virginia Travel Blog
    • Welcome Centers
    • Cities & Localities
    • Transportation
    • Virginia Is For Lovers
    Contact Us
    • Media/Press Room
    • Send Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
    • DEI Statement
    • Travel Industry
    • Travel Guide Order
    Travel
    • Group Planners
    • Sports Marketers
    • Meetings Professionals
    • Virginia Green Travel
    • Accessible Travel
    Additional Links
    • Virginia Is For Lovers Store
    • Add/Update Your Listings
    • Website Survey
    • Site Map
    • Virginia is for Lovers
    • DiscoverAmerica.com
    • Brazil
    • Canada
    • France
    • Germany
    • England
    • Korea
    • China
    • Japan

    Official Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia ● © 2021 Virginia Tourism Corporation, 901 E. Cary St., Suite 900, Richmond, VA 23219
    For Virginia citizen and business services visit www.Virginia.gov. ● Virginia Economic Development Partnership visit www.VEDP.org.